Billy Brandt Music

Biography

Billy Brandt is a multiple-award-winning Detroit area singer-songwriter, whose rootsy, folky, psychedelic alt-country background underpins strong songwriting and an adventurous spirit. A mainstay of the local Detroit scene, Billy's collaborations with other artists are near-legendary - and you're as likely to find him out playing with former protegee Jill Jack, or his 'Celticana' duo with Sarana VerLin, or his roots rock combo Grievous Angel, as you are to find him solo. His excellent solo album 'The Mission Band' showcases both his songwriting and his performance collaborations, and is well worth more than one listen. Billy's love for music is infectious, and his embrace of different genres brings a richness and an expanse to his shows. Be prepared for a genial, convivial, and musically rewarding evening with songs you know, songs you might know, and songs you will discover and treasure. And will earworm you unmercifully.

front-man for Grievous Angel

Detroit Music Awards winner forOutstanding Acoustic GroupOutstanding Country Group

Grievous Angel has been delighting fans at festivals, concert venues and juke joints throughout Michigan for years now, delivering their own rollicking brand of American roots music. Revving up at the fabled crossroads where folk, rockabilly, blues, and alt-country were born, they burn rubber through the backwoods of the American south. This musical road trip careens through west Texas, Memphis and the gut-funky soulful side of their own native Detroit. The map blew out of the window at the last truck stop, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Billy Brandt toured the country for 2 years with the rock band .38 Special as the bands official merchandiser. During those years on the road Billy wrote songs in the truck with his business partner and would sing them at the hotel after the show with the band's backing singers. After moving back to Detroit Billy moved into artist development and started Drum Dancer Records in 1993 as a management label. He cultivated several bands to the point of major label interest and Drum Dancer soon grew to become a full record production label. Soon after he signed a new singer-songwriter named Jill Jack to his label. Billy helped launch Jill's career by releasing her first four CDs.

In 2009, Drum Dancer began producing a series of live video recordings called "Live from Billy's Basement". Drum Dancer Records is now in the process of building a songwriters' network with similar artists on the other side of the Atlantic as they travel to the UK with the idea of exploring opportunities to help UK folk artists reach new listeners in the States

Billy Brandt and Sarana VerLin

Two of Detroit's most talented and decorated musicians play an original blend of Celtic and Americana. Both have won numerous Detroit Music Awards in folk, country, and rock categories. Taking music across the ocean and back, they blend elements of Celtic and Americana roots in what they like to call 'Celticana'.